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If Ryan Tannehill impresses, Jaguars could reap a bonanza

Now that the NFL Scouting Combine is over, the next major story line of the draft process will begin.

It’s one that could impact the Jaguars greatly.

You see, there’s one player who Jacksonville fans should really focus on. It’s a player the Jaguars won’t even think about drafting, but could be the key to a bountiful offseason.

The player is Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill. You need him healthy, Jaguars fans. You need him looking sensational at his pro day. You need a team to fall in love with him.

The 6-foot-4, 222-pound Tannehill didn’t compete in drills at the combine as he recovers from a broken foot.

A former wide receiver, Tannehill started 20 games at quarterback with the Aggies. He has drawn comparisons to Tennessee Titans quarterback Jake Locker, selected eighth overall in last year’s draft.

Right now, this is a two-quarterback draft with Stanford’s Andrew Luck and Baylor’s Robert Griffin III drawing raves. The Jaguars need Tannehill to make it a three-quarterback draft, if for no other reason than to have a team select Tannehill before the Jaguars pick at No. 7.

That would increase the chances of Oklahoma State receiver Justin Blackmon or LSU cornerback Morris Claiborne falling to Jacksonville.

But the best-case scenario for Jacksonville would be to get the call Cleveland got last year from the Atlanta Falcons. In order to move up 21 spots to the No. 6 slot to draft receiver Julio Jones, Atlanta traded the Browns five picks, including two first-rounders.

That’s the kind of deal the Jaguars would love to be offered.

We know there’s little chance Indianapolis passes on Luck. Cleveland looks to have the most ammunition to trade with St. Louis and take Griffin at No. 2.

That leaves Washington (pick No. 6), Miami (No. 8), Seattle (No. 12) and Arizona (No. 13) as teams possibly still looking for a quarterback. Green Bay free agent Matt Flynn will solve one of those teams’ issues and Peyton Manning could be the answer for another.

That still leaves a favorable market for the Jaguars in regard to Tannehill. But he has to look elite. His pro day is March 29. All Jaguars fans should be rooting for Tannehill to have a phenomenal day. It might lead to a much more favorable draft.